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Rain returns to the Middle East

The rain has been a long time coming in Doha, but wet weather finally arrives in Doha [EPA]

A spell of rain in the Middle East invariably seems to draw as much excitement as snowfall in the UK.

However, such rain is in fact a standard feature during the cooler months of the year.

On Sunday, an area of unsettled weather moved across Saudi Arabia, intensifying as it spread east. There was a scattering of light rain in Doha by the end of the day, but Monday was the day of proper rainfall.

The wet weather built up during the day, culminating in thundery showers by the evening. Hamad International Airport in Doha reported 8mm of rain in 24 hours.

It may not sound that much, but it actually amounts to half a month's worth of rain. March usually produces 16 mm of rainfall.

The rain has been a long time coming. We are now moving into spring, but this winter has actually been a notably dry one.

February is usually the wettest month of the year in Doha. We can normally expect to see around 17mm of rain.

Last month was totally dry. In fact, prior to the weekend, the previous rainfall in Doha happened on January 18 when another 8mm was recorded.

The rain is now easing, but we are likely to see further showers towards the weekend as the wettest weather eases across the Gulf.

There will be some heavy rain over the next few days and that could bring some flooding into southwestern Iran.